Carpet can hit, on the grass cannot hit. Why?

Hi All,It's about using irons....I can hit quite well on driving range and on the carpet. But I can't hit properly when I tried it on the grass, it's topping the ball most of the time or hitting the ground too hard. This happens when I recently went to the Turf City's driving range which uses the bare ground / grass.

SOmething wrong with my position or swing? Or I really need more practice?

which lane did you play at the turf city driving range? last went, there was a couple which were on side slope, i.e. ball is slightly below your feet... which will need some adjustment to your posture... matt and concrete is always flat, and even when you hit a bit fat, the ball will still fly...

either that, or maybe juz the space between your two ears, i.e. mental lah...

u will experience the same thing when you first progress from driving range to green too.

shorthitterGolf Professionals

Posts : 1725Join date : 2009-06-17Location : Laguna National Golf and Country Club

Hi All,It's about using irons....I can hit quite well on driving range and on the carpet. But I can't hit properly when I tried it on the grass, it's topping the ball most of the time or hitting the ground too hard. This happens when I recently went to the Turf City's driving range which uses the bare ground / grass.

SOmething wrong with my position or swing? Or I really need more practice?

Waiting for some comments. Thanks

I had the same problem previously when i just started to play on the green and I think it basically boils down to one word, confidence. The longer the time i took to set up my shot, the more stress i apply onto myself. And of cos, getting used to taking chunks of soil helps eventually.

In short, I find that when I don't think too much about whether will I messed up my shot, just pick a target, followed by pre-shot routine and let it rip... the results are usually so much better than when I try to aim and aim and try my very best to hit the ball.

Hi Scott, nothing to worry about. We've all been there. Just remember to practise, practise, practise (with the right techniques of course). In time, your body will adjust, your muscles will be conditioned & memorize, & hopefully the correct swing will be second nature.

I think with grass, the ball sits more so it is slightly lower as compared to the carpet. As such, you hit the top of the ball (hence the topping). I also have that problem and what I do is re-adjust my alignment. It's like playing on the golf course... your lie always changes so you need to re-adjust from what you're used to. In the case of the grass, remind yourself that the ball is placed lower and therefore, your layup (hands, swing etc) must also "sink" a little.

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"A ball will always come to rest halfway down a hill, unless there is sand or water at the bottom." Henry Beard

if u happen to be hitting balls at the range on wet mat (maybe after rain). you should be able to see the splash of the water from the mat. u will then know where u hit the ground. If cannot see, ask someone to help you see...

TGM said hit down on the ball, some people will really try to hit down, end up hitting the ground maybe 1 foot behind the ball, at least this is what I've seen. TGM has a very good diagram on another thread showing the bottom of the swing arc, if u move the bottom of the swing arc to in front of the ball, you will naturally catch the ball without even bothering abt the ball. tat is if the bottom of the swing is at the correct position.

Thin to win baby...If I have to make a bad shot on the course, I will choose a thin shot.If its not too thin it will carry less but the shot will run like a scared rabbitupon hitting the fairway thus not losing as much distance as a fat shot.